Rotatable probe cover dispenser for ear thermometer

ABSTRACT

A rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer comprises a base having a probe cover basin, and a rotatable seat having at least one rotating shaft pivotally coupling the rotatable seat to the base and enabling the rotatable seat to rotate with respect to the base. The rotatable seat has a probe cover cartridge assembly rotating together with the rotatable seat and having a probe cover chamber accommodating probe covers. The probe covers fall out from a probe cover dispensing opening. The base has a slide track assembly arranged above a probe cover basin and cooperating with the rotatable seat to enable the probe cover cartridge assembly to slide to a position above the probe cover basin. Thereby, the probe covers inside the probe cover cartridge assembly can be dispensed to the probe cover basin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a probe cover dispenser, particularly to a rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer, which can be rotated for collection.

2. Description of the Related Art

While bacteria or viruses attack a human body, the most common immunological reaction is fever, which raises the temperature of the human body to repair the infection-induced damage. During fever, body temperature should be monitored to learn the reaction of the human body. Body temperature is normally measured in the mouth, the armpit, the rectum, or the ear. Ear temperature and rectal temperature are closer to the core temperature of a human body and more stable than axillary temperature or oral temperature. Further, ear temperature and rectal temperature are easier to measure. Therefore, the ear thermometer is the most common instrument to measure body temperature. The probe of an ear thermometer is likely to accumulate cerumen after long-term usage. Therefore, the probe of an ear thermometer should be sleeved by a probe cover, and the probe cover of the ear thermometer should be replaced for each measurement lest mutual infection occur.

Normally, the user uses his fingers to pick up a probe cover and mount the probe cover over the probe of an ear thermometer. Such an operation is likely to pollute the probe cover and cause infection. Therefore, a prior art proposed a probe cover dispenser to prevent probe covers from being contacted by fingers, as shown in FIG. 1. The conventional probe cover dispenser 70 comprises a base 74 having a probe cover basin 72; a probe cover cartridge 78 accommodating probe covers 76; a gravitational member 80 applying gravitational force to the probe covers 76 inside the probe cover cartridge 78; and a slide mechanism 82 arranged between the base 74 and the probe cover cartridge 78 and used to slide the probe cover 76, which is pushed down by gravitational force, to the probe cover basin 72. The user extends the probe of an ear thermometer into the probe cover 76 on the probe cover basin 72. Thus, the probe is sleeved by the probe cover 76. The probe cover cartridge of the prior art cannot be rotated to a horizontal direction for collection but can only stand vertically on the base. Therefore, the conventional probe cover dispenser cannot be stored in a case in a horizontal way and would occupy much space.

Accordingly, the present invention proposes a rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer to overcome the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer, wherein the probe cover cartridge assembly can be rotated to a specified angle for collection.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer, wherein a slide mechanism and a first elastic part between the base and the probe cover chamber apply force to the probe covers inside the probe cover chamber to facilitate dispensation of the probe covers, whereby the user can directly and easily mount the probe cover over the probe of an ear thermometer.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer, whereby the user can mount a probe cover over the probe of an ear thermometer without contacting the probe cover, and whereby pollution to the probe cover and infection via the probe cover is prevented.

To achieve the abovementioned objectives, the present invention proposes a rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer, which comprises a base. A probe cover basin and a rotatable seat are arranged on the base. Two sides of the rotatable seat have at least one rotating shaft pivotally coupling the rotatable seat to the base and enabling the rotatable seat to rotate with respect to the base. The rotatable seat has a probe cover cartridge assembly rotating together with the rotatable seat. The probe cover cartridge assembly has a probe cover chamber accommodating a plurality of probe covers. The probe covers inside the probe cover chamber will fall out from a probe cover dispensing opening below the probe cover chamber. The base has a slide track assembly arranged above the probe cover basin. The cooperation of the slide track assembly and the rotatable seat enables the probe cover cartridge assembly to slide to a position above the probe cover basin. Thereby, the probe covers inside the probe cover assembly can be dispensed to the probe cover basin.

Below, embodiments are described in detail to make easily understood the objectives, technical contents, characteristics, and accomplishments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional probe cover dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing that the probe cover cartridge assembly is rotated to a horizontal state according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing that the probe cover cartridge assembly is rotated to a vertical state according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view schematically showing a rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing that a rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer is accommodated in a case according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6-8 are perspective views schematically showing the operation of a rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention enables the user to rotate the probe cover cartridge assembly arbitrarily and collect the probe cover cartridge assembly conveniently. Refer to FIGS. 2-4. The rotatable probe cover dispenser of the present invention comprises a base 10, a rotatable seat 20, and a slide track assembly 30. The rotatable seat 20 has a probe cover cartridge assembly 40 with a probe cover dispensing opening 42. The probe cover cartridge assembly 40 can accommodate a plurality of probe covers 44. The cooperation of the rotatable seat 20 and the slide track assembly 30 enables the probe covers 44 inside the probe cover cartridge assembly 40 to slide to a position above a probe cover basin 12 arranged below the slide track assembly 30. Then, the probe cover 44 falls through the probe cover dispensing opening 42 to the probe cover basin 12. The shape of the probe cover basin 12 is the same as the top of the probe of an ear thermometer. Thus, the probe of the ear thermometer can be extended into the probe cover basin 12 and sleeved by the probe cover 44.

Refer to FIGS. 2-4 again for the structures of the rotatable seat 20 and the base 10. At least one rotating shaft 22 are respectively arranged at two sides of the rotatable seat 20 to pivotally couple the rotatable seat 20 to the base 10, whereby the rotatable seat 20 can rotate with respect to the base 10. The rotatable seat 20 has at least two second fixing axes 24 respectively at two sides thereof. The base 10 has at least two first fixing shaft 14 respectively at two sides thereof. In each side, there is a second elastic part 26 coupled to the first fixing axis 14 and the second fixing shaft 24. In one embodiment, the second elastic part 26 is a spring. Thus, there is always pulling force acting on the rotatable seat 20 no matter whether the rotatable seat 20 is in a vertical state or a horizontal state. Thereby, the rotatable seat 20 is less likely to swing or deviate.

Refer to FIG. 4 again. In order to prevent that the gravitational force pulls the probe cover cartridge assembly 40 and the probe covers 44 thereinside to fall down during the rotation of the rotatable seat 20, the probe cover cartridge assembly 40 has a special design: the probe cover cartridge assembly 40 has a probe cover chamber 46 accommodating a plurality of probe covers 44; the bottom of the probe cover chamber 46 has a probe cover dispensing opening 42 via which the probe cover 44 is discharged; the interior of the probe cover chamber 46 has a first elastic part 48 applying force to clamp the plurality of probe covers 44 to stay inside the probe cover chamber 46 lest the gravitational force pull out the probe covers 44; the bottom of the probe cover chamber 46 has a slidable seat 49 having an opening 492 corresponding to the probe cover dispensing opening 42; the slidable seat 49 can press-fit to a first slide ways 28 of the rotatable seat 20, whereby the probe cover cartridge assembly 40 would not be pulled out by the gravitational force during the rotation of the rotatable seat 20. Further, the slidable seat 49 can also slide in the first slide ways 28.

Refer to FIGS. 2-4 again. Below is further described the structure of the slide track assembly 30. The slide track assembly 30 has a second slide ways 32 connecting with the first slide ways 28 of the rotatable seat 20, whereby the slidable seat 49 of the probe cover cartridge assembly 40 can move from the first slide ways 28 to the second slide ways 32. An annular basin 34 is formed below the second slide ways 32. The annular basin 34 encircles the probe cover basin 12, has a diameter larger than that of the probe cover 44, and has a thickness identical to that of one probe cover 44. Because the first elastic part 48 applies force to the probe covers 44 inside the probe cover chamber 46, one probe cover 44 falls through the probe cover dispensing opening 42 to the probe cover basin 12. In one embodiment, the first slide ways 28 and the second slide ways 32 have a U-like shape for limiting the movement range of the slidable seat 49.

Refer to FIG. 5. A case 50 accommodates the base 10 and the probe cover cartridge assembly 40, wherein rotatable seat 20 is used to rotate the probe cover cartridge assembly 40 to lie in the case 50 horizontally for collection. The case 50 can also accommodate an ear thermometer 60 using the present invention. Refer to FIGS. 5-8 showing the operation of the present invention. Initially, the rotatable seat 20 and the probe cover cartridge assembly 40 lie horizontally in the case 50. When the user intends to use the present invention to mount one probe cover 44 on the probe, he rotates the rotatable seat 20 to be above the base 10 firstly, as shown in FIG. 6. Next, the slidable seat 49 of the probe cover cartridge assembly 40 is moved from the first slide ways 28 in the rotatable seat 20 to the second slide ways 32 of the slide track assembly 30. Thus, the probe cover dispensing opening 42 is slid to be above the annular basin 34. As the diameter of the annular basin 34 is greater than that of the probe cover 44, the first elastic part 48 pushes the probe cover 44 to fall through the probe cover dispensing opening 42 to the probe cover basin 12, as shown in FIG. 7. Next, the user slides the probe cover cartridge assembly 40 back to the first slide ways 28 to reveal the probe cover 44, which has fallen in the probe cover basin 12, as shown in FIG. 8. Then, the user extends the probe of the ear thermometer into the probe cover basin 12 to sleeve the probe cover 44 over the probe without contacting the probe cover 44.

In conclusion, the present invention can rotate probe cover chamber to an appropriate angle for collection. Further, the present invention uses the first elastic part and the slide mechanism between the probe cover chamber and the base to apply force to the probe covers inside the probe cover chamber to facilitate the dispensation of the probe covers. Thereby, the user can directly and conveniently mount the probe cover over the probe of an ear thermometer without contacting the probe cover. Therefore, the present invention can effectively exempt probe covers from contamination and prevent from probe cover-induced infection.

The embodiments described above are only to exemplify the present invention bit not to limit the scope of the present invention. Any equivalent modification or variation according to the characteristic or spirit of the present invention is to be also included within the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer, comprising a base with a probe cover basin formed therein; a rotatable seat, wherein at least one rotating shaft is arranged at two sides of said rotatable seat to pivotally couple said rotatable seat to said base and enable said rotatable seat to rotate with respect to said base; a probe cover cartridge assembly arranged on said rotatable seat, rotating together with said rotatable seat, accommodating a plurality of probe covers, and having a probe cover dispensing opening; and a slide track assembly arranged above said probe cover basin, cooperating with said rotatable seat to enable said probe cover cartridge assembly to slide to a position above said probe cover basin, whereby said probe cover inside said probe cover cartridge assembly is dispensed to said probe cover basin.
 2. The rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to claim 1, wherein said probe cover cartridge assembly further comprises a probe cover chamber accommodating a plurality of probe covers, wherein said probe cover dispensing opening is formed on a bottom of said probe cover chamber; a first elastic part arranged inside said probe cover chamber, applying force to said probe covers to clamp said probe covers to stay inside said probe cover chamber; and a slidable seat arranged below said probe cover chamber and having an opening corresponding to said probe cover dispensing opening.
 3. The rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to claim 2, wherein at least two first fixing shaft are respectively arranged on two sides of said base.
 4. The rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to claim 3, wherein said rotatable seat further comprises a first slide ways where said slidable seat of said probe cover cartridge assembly can slide; at least two second fixing shaft respectively arranged on two sides of said rotatable seat; and at least one second elastic part connected with said first fixing axis of said base and said second fixing shaft of said rotatable seat, and securing said rotatable seat to make said rotatable seat less likely to swing during rotation.
 5. The rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to claim 4, wherein said second elastic part is a spring.
 6. The rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to claim 4, wherein said slide track assembly further comprises an annular basin encircling said probe cover basin, having a diameter larger than that of said probe cover; and a second slide ways connecting with said first slide ways, whereby said slidable seat of said probe cover cartridge assembly can move from said first slide ways to said second slide ways, and whereby said probe cover chamber of said probe cover cartridge assembly is moved to a position above said annular basin, and whereby said annular basin receives said probe cover falling from said probe cover chamber.
 7. The rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to claim 6, wherein said first slide ways and said second slide ways have a U-like shape.
 8. The rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to claim 1, wherein said first elastic part is a spring.
 9. The rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to claim 1 further comprising a case accommodating said base and said probe cover cartridge assembly.
 10. The rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to claim 9, wherein said case further accommodates an ear thermometer.
 11. The rotatable probe cover dispenser for an ear thermometer according to claim 10, wherein shape and size of said probe cover basin is identical to shape and size of a top of a probe of said ear thermometer, and wherein depth of said probe cover basin is identical to thickness of said probe cover. 